Lincecum plays catch to test back

SAN FRANCISCO 
San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum is encouraged that his injured back is nearly "normal" again and he hopes to pitch Monday against the Colorado Rockies.

"Right now I feel as close to normal as I can," Lincecum said Friday. "They're going to take 100 percent precaution."

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, who was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday night because of spasms and inflammation in his lower back, played catch Friday and looked like his hard-throwing self. Bullpen catcher Bill Hayes caught the two-time All-Star and they worked up to a distance of about 100 feet.

"He looked fine," said pitching coach Dave Righetti, who kept a watchful eye on Lincecum along with athletic trainer Dave Groeschner. "We'll know more after his side tomorrow."

Lincecum is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday as long as he feels good enough to do so. And if that goes well, manager Bruce Bochy then would plan to use Lincecum during the Rockies series. He didn't say whether that would be Monday.

"He's feeling so much better," Bochy said.

Lincecum – 13-5 with a 2.34 ERA in 28 starts and 200 1-3 innings – was seen by a back specialist on Tuesday and underwent tests. He mentioned the injury after the team's flight home Sunday from Milwaukee.